WASHINGTON, May 17 (UPI) -- Cold, rainy weather marked much of the eastern half of the United States last week but farm work was not significantly hindered.
The Agriculture Department said Tuesday the Corn Belt, Ohio River Valley, Mississippi Delta, and Southeast had persistent rainfall and below-average temperatures last week.
Despite the rainfall, planting steadily progressed across the Corn Belt, though fieldwork was somewhat limited in the Delta, Southeast and parts of the
Ohio Valley.
Moderate precipitation in the southern and central Great Plains improved winter wheat condition, while dry conditions elsewhere on the Plains encouraged planting.
Unfavorably dry conditions persisted across southern Florida, prompting citrus producers to irrigate.
Planting continued to progress slowly in California despite a second consecutive week of very warm weather promoted fieldwork and crop development in California but boosted irrigation demands in the Desert Southwest, where temperatures were as much as 10 degrees F above average.
Heavy rains and above-normal temperatures improved pasture conditions in New England but caused flooding in some areas.
